It was Jennifer and Josie calling to wish me a happy birthday. They too knew I was in the middle of a party so they kept the call short. I promised to... call later in the week so we could work out our exact plans for the road trip.I finally got back to the dining room and Penny and I opened our gifts. Several of the girls had bought gifts for Penny as well, and she was excited about the sweaters, makeup, purse, and other personal items that she received from them. Most of my gifts were practical. Such innocence portrayed in his relaxed, serene face. A child born to a country which was free of international threats, his biggest fear being the monsters in his closet. Now as he lies sleeping, I wonder if his youthful innocence will be lost to a nation thrown into war by malicious people who have no respect for the basic ideals of life. Will he have to endure the hardships so many war- ravaged civilizations have lived through and which concede as normal every day life? Will he have to be. "Now that you are here, we can finish this unpleasant business." I heard your hunch was right, about Rugenberg?"Count August nodded, with a self-satisfied smile."Indeed. He was rallying his men already, four hundred of them. Not enough to challenge my men in open battle, though. They retreated into his fine castle, and since we captured most of their horses, I have no idea what they are eating right now. The harvest has not been brought in yet, and they must rely on stored food from last. Jenny laid her head against him as she quietly sobbed in agony and despair.Finally, feeling she had done enough to fulfill Sam's orders for this stage of her ordeal, she softly tugged at his hand as it withdrew with a soft "plop". She gave him a soft kiss as she stood, hoping this would conceal her rejection and escape.Jenny gathered the shawl back around her and held her dress together as she stood and walked away.She tried to hold her small clutch purse over her crotch for some cover and went.